Mercuri Capital

The states of New Hampshire and North Carolina are progressing toward establishing state-level Bitcoin reserves. New Hampshire’s House Commerce and Consumer Affairs Committee recently approved bill HB302 with a 16-1 vote, allowing the state treasurer to invest up to 5% of certain funds in digital assets like Bitcoin. Similarly, North Carolina’s bill HB92 is under committee review, proposing the allocation of a portion of state funds into Bitcoin. These initiatives reflect a growing trend among U.S. states to diversify their financial holdings by incorporating cryptocurrencies.

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Bitcoin Beach, a pioneering initiative in El Salvador that helped drive the country’s Bitcoin adoption, is being dismissed by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as mere “bureaucratic nonsense.” Despite its tangible success in fostering financial inclusion and boosting local economies, the IMF continues to critique El Salvador’s Bitcoin strategy. The community-driven project has empowered unbanked citizens, proving that Bitcoin can be a viable alternative to traditional banking systems. However, global financial institutions remain skeptical, highlighting a growing divide between grassroots crypto adoption and centralized regulatory frameworks.

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is evaluating a proposal for a Hedera (HBAR) ETF submitted by Canary Capital for listing on Nasdaq. If approved, this fund could open new investment opportunities in Hedera’s enterprise-grade blockchain, offering institutional and retail investors regulated exposure to HBAR. The decision comes amid growing demand for crypto ETFs, raising questions about the future of alternative digital asset funds. Will the SEC give the green light to this groundbreaking initiative?

The crypto market has left its fear-driven phase behind, with Bitcoin showing strong signs of bullish momentum. Analysts suggest that institutional demand, reduced selling pressure, and macroeconomic factors are aligning in favor of a potential rally toward $100,000. With investor sentiment shifting, is this the beginning of Bitcoin’s next major surge?

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has acknowledged applications from five companies—21Shares, Bitwise, Grayscale, CoinShares, and Canary Capital—to launch exchange-traded funds (ETFs) based on XRP, the cryptocurrency developed by Ripple Labs. This acknowledgment initiates a 21-day public comment period, during which investors and experts can provide feedback on the proposals. Historically, the SEC has approved similar applications simultaneously to maintain market balance. Currently, only Bitcoin (BTC) and Ether (ETH) ETFs have received approval in the United States. Notably, Brazil has already approved the world’s first XRP ETF, setting a precedent that could influence the SEC’s decision-making process. 

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is reportedly preparing to suspend its lawsuit against Ripple Labs, the company behind the XRP cryptocurrency. This development follows the SEC’s recent decision to pause its legal action against Coinbase, signaling a potential shift in the agency’s approach to cryptocurrency regulation. John Reed, former director of the SEC’s Office of Internet Enforcement, suggests that the SEC’s Cryptocurrency Unit may be effectively disbanded, leading to the suspension of all related investigations. This move could mark a significant change in the regulatory landscape for digital assets in the United States.

On February 14, 2025, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced its review of Grayscale Investments’ applications to launch exchange-traded funds (ETFs) based on XRP and Dogecoin (DOGE). This move could provide institutional investors with regulated avenues to invest in these cryptocurrencies, potentially boosting their adoption and market value. The SEC’s decision is highly anticipated, as it may significantly impact the broader acceptance and valuation of these digital assets. This development follows the SEC’s previous approval of Bitcoin ETFs, which contributed to Bitcoin’s price surge past $100,000 for the first time.

Something big is coming.

The Bank of Montreal (BMO), one of Canada’s oldest financial institutions, has discreetly acquired approximately $150 million in spot Bitcoin ETFs. This information was revealed through a 13F-HR form submitted to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The majority of the investment, $139 million, was allocated to BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin ETF, with additional funds distributed among ETFs from ARK 21Shares, Grayscale, Fidelity, and ProShares. This move reflects a growing trend of traditional financial institutions gaining exposure to Bitcoin through regulated investment vehicles.